Wiping mechanism for rotary plate-printing machines



Sept. 18, 1923. 1,4685% w. H. \iooRHls WIPING MECHANISM FOR ROTARY PLATE PRINTING MACHINES Original Filed Oct. 2

5, 1919 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 3 A mi Sept. 18, m3. 1%3530 W. H. VOORE-HS WIPING MECHANISM FOR RQTARY PLATE PRINTING MACHINES Patented Sept. 1%, 1923.

inane entree stares earner oer-sine.

WILLIAM H. vooanrs, or new YORK, n. ASSIGNOR T0 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY, A oonroRArroN on NEW YORK.

.UIPINGhIECl-IANISIVI FOR ROTARY PLATE-PRINTING MACHINES.

Application filed October 25, 1919,-Seria1 No, 333,314. Renewed February 17, 1923.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VVILLIAM H. Voonnrs, a citizenof the United States, residing. at the borough of Bronx, in the city ofh ew York, county of Bronx, and State of New York, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Wiping l/Iechanisms for Rotary Plate-Printing Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being ha'd therein to the accompanying drawings, which form a part tl ereof, 5

My .inventionrelates to wiping mechanisms for rotary plate printing and more particularly. to such a mechanism employing a'continuous wipingcloth or rag intermittently fed during-intervals while the cloth or rag is out ofengagcnlent wlth the plate} e Heretofore in this art, it has been a common practice to intermittently feed a strip a of wiping cloth or rag by a step by step, or

intermittent movement, while the cloth or rag is disengaged from the plate,- by a reg wind mechanism, and means for imparting a'timely actuation thereto. In sucha mechanism there is always a tendency, for the fric tional engagement of the plate with the cloth or rag, to cause such a lineal movement of. the cloth or rag as will create suilicient slack therein to, at times, interfere with the proper cleaning of-the plate. Furthermore, unless an intermediate feeding mechanism between the wiper platens-and the rewind mechanism-is employed, there is also a tendency, with the increase in the diameter of the rewind reel, of a gradually increased feeding movement of the cloth or rag, resulting in a. loss of uniformity in the condition of the cloth or rag,and a. resultant change in the wiping action thereof during different portions of. a run of the machine.

With these conditions in mind, I have provided a wiping mechanism wherein the cloth or rag, while in engagement with the plate,

will be positively held against movement therewith, and will be automatically released to permit it to be'advanced by a step by step movement,

when it is not inengagement with the plate.

In order to secure the desired uniformity in succeeding feeding movements of. the cloth or rag, I provide means whereby, with each rotation thereof, slack will be created upon one side ofthe wiper platenor platens, the amount'of machines,

during those intervals this slack always being the ink fount, being taken up as a result of the movement of the plate in relation to said platens and the cloth. In this manner any extreme nicety in the proportioning and operative effect of theparts entering into the cloth or rag feeding mechanism, is not requirechand yet the cloth, in succeeding wiping operations, will always be maintained without such wrinkles therein as might interfere with a uniform wiping action throughout: the entire surface of the plate, and the wiping interval will always be sub stantially the same, since the cloth cannot have any substantial quantity of movement with the plate. This uniformity in the feeding movemenu'will result in all portions of the cloth or rag being conditioned in substantially the same manner, thus resulting in uniformity in the wiping action throughout the entire length of the strip or cloth.

In order to secure the proper co-operation of the different portions of the wiping mechanism, 1' provide actuating means therefor, so constructed as to synchronize the functionings of the feeding mechanism and the mechanism for hoding the cloth against-movement, which means will ensure the timely releaseof the cloth to permit the necessary and timely feeding movement thereof, and a timely application of the desired clamping action upon the cloth after the feeding movement has been completed.

In a wiping mechanism made in accordance with my invention, any tendency of longitudinalwrinkles or creases to develop in the cloth or rag, are reduced to a. minimum. r i i The invention consists in the novel features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter set forth and described, and more particularly'pointed out in the claims hereto appended. I Referring to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side view, partly in elevation platens?) and 4, which may be-of or'any desired, construction, said platens F 1g. 2 is an end View from the left ofFig. V

l, with the supply roll removed; and

ig. 3 is a detail sectional view of a portion of the feeding and-rewind mechanismg and of the clamp mechanism.

Like letters refer to like parts throughout the several views. 7 V

In the embodiment of my invention shown inv the drawings, a portion of the plate cylinder is shownat 1, and-the inking mechanism for the plates at 2. This inking mechanism formsno part of my present invention, as anytype of inking mechanism maybe employed. The plate cylinder 1 is' s'hown as being of a type capable of having two plates mounted thereon, the space "between succeeding plates affording an interval during which the wiping cloth is out of engagement with the plates, to permit the of the wiping cloth or rag. Associated with the cylinder 1 is a plurality the usual,

being-normally forced toward the cylinder 1 by means ofsprings, to develop the requisite pressure of the wiping cloth or rag upon the plates. In the form of platen mechanism shown, Iemploy two platens having arranged between them a guide roller 5, all of which members receive a reciprocatory movement laterally of the machine, in the usual and well known manner. 7

Removably mounted in suitable bearings 6 in the frame of the machine, is-a roll of a continuousstrip or web of a suitable wipifng cloth or rag 7. This cloth or rag passes over the platens and and about the intermediate roller 5, feeding means therefor being provided intermediate the bearings 6 V and the platenB, and a take-up mechanism being provided beyond the platen 41. By providing a feeding mechanism and a take up mechanism for the cloth or mg in the plate.

relation heretofore referred to, I am enabled not only to ensure the feeding of a definite,

uniform quantity of the cloth or rag pre paratory to each wiping operation, but am enabled to draw said cloth or rag across the platens under conditions which will ensure its being heldperfectly taut, thus avoiding the presence of creases or wrinkles during the advance of said cloth or rag, and

prior to the engagement thereof with a To avoid possibility of movement of the plate after such engageprovide means whereby, the cloth or rag'has rement, however, I

comes into. I engagement 7 therewith, said cloth or rag will besubjected to a'stop' or clamp mechanism between the feeding of wiping-1 feeding mechanism and the first wiping platen, which will positively hold said cloth *the other roller 8, by means of a ratchet wheel 11' carried by the shaft lO'of said roller, and rock arm 12 carrying a spring pressed pawl 13, engaging said ratchet wheel. Mounted upon the shaft 1 1 of the plate cylinderl, is a cam 15 having a rise or'rises thereon corresponding in number with the number of cylinder. In the form of the invention shown, where two plates are mounted upon the cylinder, the cam low-ill h'ave'two rises, 16 and 17, thereon. Parallel with the shaft 14 is a shaft 18 upon which is mounted a rocking lever 19, onefarm of whichcarries a roller 20, co-operating and the other arm of which is .connectedby the link 21 with the rock arm 12. A spring 22- acts upon the other arm of the lever 19. to impart a return movement tothe arm 12, and the parts. actuated thereby. Adjacent the roller 9 is a guideroller 23. r The cam 15 Sis so set as to have the rises Inent of said cloth "or rag with a succeeding plate. 1 i i plates carried by said with the cam 15, y I

It is to be understood that the number of.

rises upon theca-m 15 will correspond with the number of plates upon the cylinder .1, and that "the construction of'the cam maybe varied to adapt the mechanismto printing machines in which the plate cylinder is adapted to receive diflerent numbers of Plates. r i

While the rollers Sand 9 and the actuating means therefor do not have any function in feeding the cloth or rag across the platens 3 and 4-, and about the intermediaterollero, I have designated it afeedingfmechanism because it feeds'the cloth or rag? from. its

roll, themovement of the cloth or rag with;

relation to said platens being accomplished through the medium of the take-up mechanism which I" will hereinafter. describe,

By the mechanism above describechl provide an intermittently operative mechanism for creating slackin the wiping cloth or rag, the actuations regard to the, relative 'positionsof the printing plates and. the wiping platens, said mechanism being operative while said platens and the-wiping cloth-pr rag thereon" are "inoperative with relation totheplate,

and'being inoperative while said platens and said clothf are' acting upon the plate; I

" slot in the fitting 128. slot is such as to ensure the reel 28 and the 7 Substantially simultaneously with the creation of slack in the cloth or rag by the feeding mechanism above described, the take-up mechanism is operative to take up this slack and advance the cloth or rag in relation to the wiping platens. This meclh anism is so constructed as to have a tendency to impart traverse to said cloth or rag at a rate in excess of that at which it is being fed from the roll by the rollers 8 and 9. In this manner the strip or cloth will always'be held taut, slippage occurring in the take-up mechanism to limit the quantity of movement of the cloth or rag to that predetermined by the rollers 8 and 9.

This take-up mechanism comprises a friction roller 24 mounted in suitable bearings in the frame of the machine, and driven from the shaft by means of a sprocket wheel 25 carried by said shaft, a sprocket chain 26, and a sprocket wheel 2": mounted upon the shaft of the roller 24. Associated with the roller 24 is a rewind reel 28, the arbors of which are seated in an elongated The length of this portion of the cloth or rag wound thereon, bearing upon the roller 24. In this manner the roller 24 governs the operative effect of the take-up mechanism, which is not influenced in any way by the gradual increase in the diameter of the roll upon the reel 28, with the continued operation of a machine. While the frictional engagement of the roller 24 and the cloth upon the reel 28 is relied upon to-take up or cause travel of the cloth or rag in relation to the platens 3 and 4, the rewinding of said cloth or rag is merely incidental to the operation of the take-up roller. i

Extending laterally of the machine, adjacent the feed rollers 8 and 9, is a clamp bar 29, across the'edge, and above which the cloth or rag 7 passes, after leaving the rollcrs 8 and 9. Theedge of said bar with which the said cloth or rag engages, is rounded as shown, thus acting as a drag upon said cloth or rag without interfering with the action of the take-up mechanism. Upon the upper face of the bar 29 is a recess 30 extending laterally of the machine for substantially the full length of said bar, into which recess the cloth or rag 7 is adapted to be forced by a movable clamping member 31, adapted "to'receive a timely actuation to cause said clamp barand said clamp-mg member 'to' firmly grip thecloth or rag after thetake-up mechanism has ceased to operate thereon, and with the engagement of a plate, w th the portions of the cloth upon the platens 3 and 4. The clamping member 31 is pivotally mounted upon one arm of a rocking lever 32, movement of said member being guided by pins 34 moving in slots33 in the frame of the machine. This pin and slot lever as the actuating means for the movable clamping member, and is largely a matter of machine design.

The actuating means for the movable clamping member 31 comprises a rod 134, one end of which is pivotally connected with the lever 32 and the other arm of which is pivotally connected with a bell crank lever 35. Movement is imparted to the lever 32 in one direction by means of a link 36, one end of whichis connected withone arm of thebell crank lever 35, and the other end of which is connected with one arm of a bell crank lever 37 pivoted adjacent the shaft 18. The other arm of the lever 37 is provided with an anti-friction roller 38, co-operating with a cam 39 mounted upon the shaft 18, said cam having a rise thereon extending for substantially 180 of said cam. The cam 39 is driven by means of a gear 40 mesh ing with a gear 41 upon the ratio of said gears being such that the cam 39 will receive two revolutions to one of the cylinder 1. This construction, like other de tails of the invention shown in the drawings, is to adapt the wiping mechanism to a two-plate machine and is capable of variation, if the invention is to be adapted to machines for carrying a greater or less number of plates. The cam and lever mechanism described ilS adapted to positively disengage the movable member 31 from the clamp bar 29, the setting of said clamp bar resulting from the action of the spring 42 encircling the rod 34, and seated between the block 43 upon said rod and the bracket 44 I mounted upon the frame of the machine.

The spring 42 in addition to setting the clamping mechanism also maintains the roller 38 in the proper operative relation to the cam 39. V

The operation of the herein described mechanism is substantially as follows z- Preparatory to a run of the press, the end ofthe strip of cloth or rag 7 is passed about the roller 23, about and between the rollers 8 and 9, and about the curved end, and across the'to'p, of the clamp bar 29. After leaving the bar 29, this cloth or rag is passed over the face of the platen Spresented towards the plate cylinder 1, downwardly from said surface and about the roller 5, and then over the surface of the platen 4 presented towards the plate cylinder 1, to and about the guide roller 45, and the take-up roller 24. The end of the cloth or rag is then passed about and secured to the rewind reel shaft 14, the

turns about this reel. When the cloth or rag has thus been threaded through the machine, the wiping mechanism is ready for use, the subsequent feeding operation thereof being controlled by the various mecha-v nisms heretofore described. 7

Withthe'relation of parts shown inthe drawings, one plate upon the cylinder 1 has passed from its operative engagement with the wiping mechanism, and the other plate upon this cylinder is approaching the operative relation to the inking mechanism 2,

"the portions of the wiping cloth or rag 7 under these conditions being out of engaare ment with a plate to be wiped. lVith-the; rotation of the cylinder 1,the rise 16 upon the cam will impart a rapid oscillatory movement to the bell crank lever 19, which, through thelink 12 and the pawl 13, and thus impart a. par- 21, will oscillate the arm at the platen 3 toward the inking mechanism.

2. This quantity may be regulated by deter- Lin mining the throw of the lever 12, by the leverage atwhich the link 21 acts thereon. Simultaneously Wltll' the rotation of the roller 9, the chain and sprocket mechanism 25,26 and 27 will rotate the take-up roller 24, and through said roller, the rewind reel 28. Hence, as slack is created upon one side of the platens 3 and 1, this slack will be simultaneously taken up by said roller 24, thus drawing or advancing the cloth or rag in relation to said platens. The sprocket wheel being of greater diameterthan the wheel 27, and the rollers 9 and 21 being of substantially the same diameter, there will always be a tendency of the roller 24; to advance the cloth or rag to an extent greater than the slackcreatcd by said rollers 8 and V 9, thus causing the roller 24 to exert a constant pull during this interval upon said cloth or rag, which will tend to hold it perfectly taut and smooth. The resistance ola fered by the platens 3 and 1 andthe clamp bar, 29 would assist in securing this condi-- tion and cause that slippage of the roller 24 in relation to the cloth or rag necessary to limit the operative effect of that described.

After the cessation of the feeding move-I ment by the rollers 8 and 9 and the take-up.

movement by the roller 24:, and substantially simultaneously with the engagement of the succeeding plate with the cloth or ran upon the platen 3, the rise of the cam 39 will pass this roller to out of the operative relation to theroller 38, thus permitting the spring 42 to rock the lever 32 by means of the rod 13 1, and bring the clamp bar 31 into clamping engagement with the clamp bar 29, the projection thus not only securing an. effective grip upon the cloth or rag 7, which grin will be maintained during substantially 180 of therotation of the cam 39, but taking up any jlooseness of the-cloth or rag in advance of the platen 3. After the: clamp members 29 and 31 are thus set, the entire surface of this plate upon the cylinder 1 passes the platens 3 and 4 successively, and is wiped "by the relative movement of said plate and the portion of the cloth or rag up on said platens, the clamp members 29" and 31 remaining set ation. V w 7 As heretofore stated, the said platens receive a lateral, reciprocatory movement in during this entire operthe usual and well known manner, to pre vent streaking of the plate.-

To secure an effective. wipe, considerable:

pressure is exerted through the platens 3 and l and the cloth or rag? upon the plate,

although by reason of the action of the clamp mechanism described, there can be no movement of said clothor rag, as a result of the frictional engagement of the plate and said cloth or rag, while the plate is in con tact therewith.

Immediately after the rise 16' on the cam. 15 ceases to be operativeupon the lever 19 to feed the strip from its roll, said lever 19, and the parts actuated thereby, will be re-- turned to normal by the spring acting upon this mechanism, next actuation of the feeding mechanism.

As the plate being wiped, as above described, pass'es from. engagement with the as '22, preparatory to V the cloth or rag upon the platen 4, the. forward edge of the rise 39 will operatively engage the roller 38 and'oscillate the levers 37 and V 35 in a manner to, draw the rod 34: downwardly and thus rock the lever 32 in a mannor to raise the clamp bar 31 and thus release the cloth or rag clamped between it and the bar 29. Immediately thereafter, the rise 17 will become operative upon the lever '19.

and the operations above described will be repeated. As the diameter of the roll upon the rewind reel28. increases, the-arbors of this reel will move the fitting 128, thus compensating for this gradual increase'of diameter in the roll upon said reel. Since the saidreel, and the cloth or. rag thereo n,is driven entirely by frictio'nal engagementwith the roller 2 1,, how-. ever, the peripheral. speed of the roll upon reel will remain constant, irre-;

said rewind spective of variances in its diameter.

s With a mechanism made. in accordance upwardlyinjthe slot in V :with my invention, a short length of cloth 1 or rag is fed, after the wiping of each plate 3 V tion to the precise details of construction is accomplished, so that a portion of clean cloth or rag will alwaysbe presented to ward the inking mechanism 2, while'the, re-

mainder of the cloth or rag in the direction of the rotation of the plate will be saturated with inlr, the degree of saturation gradually increasing until that portion of the cloth or rag last engaging the plate, has themaximum degree of saturation. This condition is desirable in the typeof machine in connection with which the wiping mechanism of my invention is particularly adapted to be used, as it secures the effective packing of thelines of the plate with ink. With a uniform feeding movement of the cloth or rag with each rotationthereof, the amount of clean cloth onrag presented to each plate will be substantially the same, and succeeding portions of the cloth or rag will always have substantially the same degree of saturation, thus having those portions ofthe cloth or rag, to which the plate engages, always the same with each wiping action. Furthermore, by the use of a clamp as described, and the avoidance of any movement of the cloth or rag while the plate is in engagement therewith, the interval during which the plate isbeing wiped, willalso remain constant. Hence, the wiping condition during the entir erun of the plate; will al ways remain the same" and substantially absolute uniformity inthe condition of the plate will thus be ensured witheach im print. The use of this clamp will also ensure tlie cloth or rag being held perfectly taut and smooth during the wiping operation and during the feeding movement of the cloth or rag in'relation to the platens. I

'The invention o-fmy present application relates solely to the wiping mechanism of a machine, it being understood that other mechanisms of the machine now-commonly used may beemployed and the wiping mechanism of my invention substituted. for the wiping mechanism heretofore commonly I used withsuch other mechanisms. Ordinarily it will be found desirable to employ, in addition to 'a wiping mechanism, the ordinary polishing mechanism While, desired, this mechanism may be dispensed with, I have found it preferable; to'employ it in conjunction with the wiping mechanismcof my invention. H

. It, is not my intention to limit the invenshown in the accompanying drawings,.it being apparent that such may be varied without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention. 7

Having described the invention, what I claim as new,,and desire to have protected by Letters-Patent, .iszfi j I. A wiping mechanism for rotary plate printing machines embodying therein a wiping platen adapted to intermittently en? gage aplate or plates, a feeding mechanism upon one side of said platen adapted to create slack in a wiping cloth or rag passed about said platen, a take-up mechanism upon the other side of said platen adapted to draw the cloth or'rag fed by said feeding mechanism, across said platen in a direction the same as that of the plate or plates to be wiped, whereby the initial wipe of the plates will be accomplished by a clean portion of wiping cloth and the final wipe thereof with soiled cloth or rag, and intermittently operative means for actuating said feeding mechanism and said takeup mechanism said last named. means being operative while said platen is inoperative in relation to a plate.

2. A wiping mechanism for rotary plate printing .machines embodying therein a wiping platen adapted to intermittently engage a plate or plates, a feeding mechanism adapted, with each actuation thereof, to draw a uniform length of wiping cloth or rag from a roll, a take-up mechanism adapted to advance the length of cloth or rag drawn by said feeding mechanism from the roll across said platen in the-direction of movement of the plate or plates to be wiped, and intermittently operative means for ac tuating said feeding mechanism'and said take-up mechanism said last named means being operative while said platen is inoperative in relation to a plate. 4

.3. A wiping mechanism for rotary plate printing machines embodying therein a wiping platen adapted to intermittently engage a plate or plates, a feeding mechanism upon one side of said platen adapted to create slack in a wiping cloth. or rag passed about said platen,'atake-up mechanism upon the other side of said platen adapted to draw the cloth or rag fed by said feeding mecha nism, across said platen, actuating means for said feeding mechanism and actuating means for said take-up mechanism, said last named means operating said takeaip mechanism at relatively greater speed than said feeding mechanism, whereby said cloth or rag will be held taut between said feeding mechanism and' said take-up mechanism, said mechanisms respectively being operative while said platen is inoperative in relation to a plate.

, 4; A wiping mechanism forrotary plate printing machines embodying therein a wiping platen adapted to intermittently engage a plate or plates, a feeding mechanism upon one side of said-platen adapted to create slack in a wiping cloth or rag passed about said platen, a take-up mechanism upon the other side of said platen adapted to draw the cloth or rag fed by said feeding mechanism, across said platen, a rewind reel adapted to receive a cloth or rag after it. leaves said take-up mechanism,

means whereby said rewind reelis actuated at a uniform rate of peripheral speed, irrespective of the diameter of the roll of cloth or rag thereon, and intermittently operative means for actuating said feeding mechanism and said take-up mechanism said last named means belngoperatlve while said. platen is inoperative in relation to a plate. 1 p

5. A wiping mechanism for rotary plate printing V-machines embodying therein a wiping platen adapted to intermittently engage a plate or plates, a feeding mechanism adapted, "with each actuation thereof, to draw a uniform length of wiping cloth or rag from a roll, a take-up mechanism operating said take-up mechanism at rela-V '25. .anism, whereby said cloth or rag will be tively greater speed than said feeding mechheld ta-utbetween said feeding mechanism a rewind reel adapted to receive a cloth or and said'take-up mechanism, said mechanisms respectively, being operative while said platen is inoperative in relation to a plate. a

-6. A wiping mechanism for rotary plate printing machines embodying therein a wi aing platen adapted to intermittently engagea plate or plates, a feeding mechanism adapted, with reach actuation thereof, to

draw :a uniform length of wtiping cloth or 'crag froma roll,.a take-upImechanism adapted to ad-va-ncethe length of cloth or rag drawn by said feeding mechanism from the roll across :said platen in the direction of movement of the plate or plates to bejwiped,

rag after it leaves said take-up mechanism, means whereby said rewind reel is actuated at a uniform rate of peripheral speed, irrespective of the diameter of the roll of cloth or rag thereon, and intermittently 0-perative means for actuating said feeding mechanism and said takeatp mechanism said last named means/being operative while said platen lSfliILQPBIYlLtiV-Blfl relation to plate. 1

7. A wiping mechanism for rotary plate printing anachines embodying therein a wiping platen adapted to intermittently engage a plate or plates upon a rotating cylinder, asupport for a roll ott wiping cloth or rag, a pair of friction rollers between said support and said platen, :and adapted to draw the vviping cloth :or rag from said roll, a takerup mechanismadapted to draw the cloth or'rag across said platen, operative connections bet-ween said faiction :I'O llQl'S and said italic-111p :-mechanism,-;uand means adapted to simultaneously actuate said friction rollers and said take-up mechanism, comprising a cam rotatable with said plate cyilinder, and a having a rise or rises thereand said take-up mechanism, saidcam being soset as to actuate said last named meehapart intermittent movement to said rollers nismlwhen the said platen is inoperative in relation'toa plate upon said cylinder.

8. A wiping mechanism for rotary plate printing machines embodying fitherein a wiping platen adapted to intermittently engage a plate or plates upon a rotating cylinder, asupport for a roll of wipinge'lothor rag, a'pair of friction rollers-between said support and said platen, and adapted to V dwaw thewlplng cloth or rag from said well, a take-up mechanism adapted to draw the cloth or rag across said platen, operative connections ibe'tweensa'ld 'fIlClllOh rollers and said take up mechanism,

, a rewind reel adapted to receive 'a cloth or rag after it leaves said take-up mechanism, means whereby said rewind reel uniifior-m rate of peripheral speed, irrespective of the diameter of the roll of cloth or rag thereon, and means adapted *to's-imultaneo'uslyactuate said frictionrollers and is actuated at a 7 said take-up mechanism, comprising a cam rotata lrle with said plate cylinder, and ha mg a rise or rises thereon, corresponding in number with the number of platesuponsaid cyli-nder,-=and*means acted upon bysaid cam and adapted to impart intermittent movement tosaid rol-le-rs and said take-np mechanism, saidcaan-beinv so set as to actuate said last named mecianism when the relation (to a said platen is 'inoperative'in plate upon said-cylinder. g s

9. A wiping'mechanism for rotary plate printing machines embodying tl 'ere'in ingplaten adapted to intermittently engage a plate -;or platesya feedingmechanism upon one side of said platen Ia-dapted 'to ore-ate slack in a Wiping cloth or rag passed about said platen, a taken-p mechanism upon the other side of said platen adaptedfto draw the cloth or'ra'g tedby. said feeding mecha nism,"=across said platenr'in a direction the same as that of the plate ,or plates to be wiped, whereby the initial wipe of the plates will "be accomplished *by "a clean portion of V wiping-cloth. and the final "wipelthereof with soiled cloth or "rag, intermittently operative, means for actuating said teeding mechanism and said take-up mechanism, "said last named means f being q-operat'iv'e, while said platen is inoperative in ire la'tion'to a plate, means disposed between; medhanism and said platen engage and prevent moveinent of the or :ra-gwvhile said platen is {in theoperatiwe "said feeding. V V and adapted :to

relation to a plate and intermittently operative means actuating said last named means, sald last named means being operative while the actuating means for said feeding and said platen, a take-up mechanism upon the.

other side of said platen adapted to draw the cloth or rag fed by said feeding mechanism, across said platen, means for actuating said feeding mechanism and said take-up mechanism ,while'said platen is inoperative in relation to a plate, and means arranged between, said feeding mechanism and said platen adapted to engage and hold saidcloth 01' rag stationary between operative intervals of said feeding and said take-up mechanisms 11. A wiping mechanism for rotary plate printing machines embodying therein a wiping platen adapted to intermittently engage a plate or plates, a feeding mechanism upon one side of said platen adapted to create slack in a wiping cloth or passed about said platen, a take up mechanism upon the other side of said platen adapted to draw the cloth or rag fed by said feeding mechanism, across said platen,means for actuating said. feeding mechanism and said take-up mechanism while said platen is inoperative in relationto a plate, means arranged between said feeding mechanism and said platen adapted to engage and hold said cloth or rag stationary between operative intervals of said feeding and said take-up mechanisms, actuating means for said last named means, whereby it becomes operative substantially simultaneously with the initial engagement of the" plate and the cloth or rag upon said platen, and means whereby looseness of the cloth or rag between said feeding mechanismand said platen will be taken up prior to said means becoming operative to hold the cloth or rag against movement.

12. A wiping mechanism for rotary plate printing machines embodying therein a wiping platen adapted to intermittently engage a plate or plates, a feeding mechanism upon one side of said platen adapted to create slack in a wiping cloth or rag passed about said platen, a take up mechanism upon the other side of said platen adapted to draw the cloth or rag fed by said feeding mechanism, across said platen, means for actuating said feeding mechanism and said take-up mechanism while said platen is inoperative in relation to a plate, a clamp adapted to engage the cloth or rag between said feeding mechanism and said platen, comprising a bar over which said cloth or rag passes,

and a member movable into and out of engagement with said bar, and means adapted toimpart timely actuation to said movable member.

13. A wiping mechanism for rotary plate printing machines embodying therein a wiping platen adapted to intermittently engage a plate or plates, a feeding mechanism upon one side of said platen adapted to create slack in a wiping cloth or rag passed about said platen, a take-up mechanism upon the other side of said platen adapted to draw the cloth or rag fed by said feeding mechanism, across said platen, means for actuating said feeding mechanism and said take-up mechanism while said platen is inoperative in relation to a plate, a clamp adapted to engage the cloth or rag between said feeding mechanism and said platen, comprising a barover'which said cloth or rag passes, and a member movable into and out of engagement with said bar, andmeans adapted to impart timelyv actuation to said movable member, said bar and said member having a co-operating recess and projection, and said means actuating said movable member becoming operative substantially simultaneously with the engagement ofa plate with the cloth or rag upon said platen.

14:. A wiping mechanism for rotary plate printing machines embodying therein a wiping platen adapted to intermittently engage a plate or plates, intermittently operative, means whereby a strip of wiping cloth or rag is drawn across said platen while it is inoperative in relation to a plate, means adapted to hold the cloth or rag against movement with a plate while said platen is operative in relation thereto, and intermittently operative means actuating said last named means, said last named intermittently operative means being operative when said first named intermittently operative means is inoperative, and inoperative when said first named intermittently operative means is operative, whereby said means for holding the cloth or rag is operative to prevent movement thereof during the engagement of the printing plate or plates with the cloth or rag, and is inoperative while the cloth or rag is being fed through the machine.

15. A wiping mechanism for rotary plate printing machines embodying therein a wiping platen adapted to intermittently engage a plate or plates, a feeding mechanism upon one side of said platen adapted to create slack in a wiping cloth or rag passed about said platen, a take-up mechanism upon the other side of said platen adapted to draw the cloth or rag fed by said feeding mechanism, across said platen, means for actuating said feeding mechanism and said take-up mechanism while said platen is inoperative in relation to a plate, a clamp adapted to engage the cloth or rag between said feeding mechanism and said platen, comprising :a bar over which said cloth orrag passes, and a member movable into and oa of ngagement with said bar, a spring adapted :to normally set said clamp, and means making said spring inoperative while said teed-Ling and said take-up mechanisms-are operative.

16. A Wiping mechanism for rotary plate printing machines embodying therein a wip-r ing platen adapted to intermittentlyengage a plate or plates upon a rotating cylinder, a support for a roll of Wiping clothlor a pair of friction rollers between said support and said platen, and adapted to draw the Wiping cloth or rag from said roll, a I

take-up mechanism adapted to draw the cloth or rag across said platen, operative connections between said friction rollers and said take-up, mechanism, a rewind reel adapted to receive a cloth or ran; after it leavessaid take-up mechanism, means whereby said rewind reel is actuated at :a'

uniform rate of peripheral speed, irrespective of the diameter of the roll oicloth 01' rag thereon, means adapted to simultane ous'ly actuate said friction rollers and said take-up mechanism, comprising a cam rotatable with said plate cylinder, and having a rise or :rises thereon, corresponding in 77 passes, and a member movable into and out of engagement with said bar, a spring adapted to normally set said clamp, means adapted to makesa d sprlng. noperative,

and a cam acting insynchronism with said first named cam, and halvinga rise thereon adapted to makesald SpIll1g;lI10-13EI&-tlV6," while the r se upon said first named cam is operative, to actuate said ieeding and take-up mechanisms. i a I In Witness whereof l have "hereunto 151ffixed my signature, this 23d day iofO-ctober, 1919, in the presence of two subscribing {vitnessesr 5 Witnesses: a a,

F. P. WVnNTWoRrH, I -1 V FRANK G. Menominee;

WILLIAM H. voomirs. i i 

